Older chicks
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by
AnnieK1
About half a dozen of these appear to have adult markings but still have the rounded shape of chicks. Are these older chicks/young adults?
Posted
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by
gardenmaeve
moderator
It's a good question! All the Chinstrap penguins in this photo are moulting- old feathers and chick down are pushed out as new, adult feathers grow in. At that time it is nearly impossible for even our project scientists to tell adults from newly mature chicks. As the old feathers loosen, the body shape is obscured, and it becomes tricky to tell adults from chicks. The FAQs ask that when there is doubt, we are to mark as adult and all will be well. FAQ link
While moulting is ongoing, the penguins can't go into the sea to hunt for food, so all here are also fasting, and will lose body fat to survive.
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